Fordson WOT 2D 15cwt truck

Fordson, WOT 2D, 15 cwt, 4 x 2 truck, finished in No. 3 khaki green paint. The vehicle has been fully restored to wartime specifications. Fitted to each side of the vehicle are single, twenty three gallon, cylindrical fuel tanks, which are mounted underneath the driver and passenger seats. The cabin is covered with a separate green canvas canopy with unframed, rolled canvas doors. The cabin seats two with the driver on the right. The upholstery is canvas covered. The dash board is centrally mounted and consists of a large speedometer and two smaller gauges for amperage and oil pressure. The large handbrake and four speed floor shift are mounted between the drivers and passengers seat. The steering wheel has three spokes and is covered in black bakelite. A black horn button is fitted to the steering column. A cylindrical 'VOKES' air cleaner, and a small steel oil can are fitted to the floor between the drivers and passengers seats. The windscreen consists of two separate, fold down glass panels with no wipers fitted. There is provision for fitting two SMLE rifles, one each side of the vehicle. A 'T' handled shovel is fitted to the passengers side. The rear tray is made from seasoned hardwood and steel bracing. It has a drop down hinging tailgate. A steel tow hook is fitted at the lower rear. The rear tray is covered with a green canvas canopy which is braced by three steel canopy bows. The front of the vehicle has two headlights and parking lights fitted to the front mudguards. The radiator is covered with a protective steel wire mesh. At the lower front, a steel crank handle is fitted and a roll up canvas radiator protector. A three ton yellow bridging sign is fitted to the drivers side mudguard and a removable 'PASS' sign in a steel frame is fitted to the passengers front mudguard. It is powered by a V8 sidevalve petrol engine. The tyres are 9.00 x 16 with a lazy 'S' tread pattern. The vehicle has four wheel semi-eliptical leaf spring suspension.

This vehicle arrived in Australia from Britian in June 1942. The British War Office Registration number was V711208. The Australian Army Registration Number for this vehicle is ARN50259. The war time service of this vehicle is not known. During the late Second World War, the Australian Government disposed of the vehicle. It was acquired by the Springhurst Brigade of the Country Fire Authority in Victoria and was used as a water tanker for many years. The vehicle was fully restored by Mr. Alec Duke and was purchased from him by the Australian War Memorial in 2004.